DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is returning to the Dallas Cowboys, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and other reports.
The former Atlanta Falcons head coach and New Jersey native was expected to be in contention for several head coaching openings around the NFL this offseason, but has reportedly decided to stay put with a Cowboys defense that he helped rank among the best in the league during the 2021 regular season.
The Cowboys' defense had 34 takeaways during the regular season -- most in the NFL -- during Quinn's first year leading the Cowboys defense.
Quinn interviewed with multiple teams this offseason -- including the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos -- before making his decision to stay in Dallas.
During his tenure with the Falcons, the 51-year-old coach finished with a 43-42 (.506) regular-season record and a trip to the Super Bowl in 2017.
In terms of head coach Mike McCarthy's job security, owner Jerry Jones has been noncommittal about his future with the team since the Cowboys' 23-17 loss in the playoffs to the San Francisco 49ers. There has been rampant speculation that Jones, who has reportedly long been interested in bringing recently retired New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton into the fold as a coach, could consider a change at the top of his coaching tree.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who has also been a hot name in regards to coaching openings, is also unlikely to land a head coaching gig of his own this offseason, per reports.